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England pace bowler Matthew Hoggard has been sent to hospital for a scan after suffering a back spasm during practice for the first Test against India.

The Yorkshireman is rated "extremely doubtful" for Thursday's game at Lord's, with James Anderson and Chris Tremlett the alternatives if Hoggard doesn't make it.

Coach Peter Moores has already hinted that Leicestershire's Stuart Broad would make his debut in the match.

"He's come here on the back of a five-wicket haul and a 50 during the Lions game against India, which is great for his confidence", said Moores.

Broad's father Chris played 25 Tests for England during the 1980s - and Moores is hoping some of his batting ability has rubbed off on his son, whose half century for the Lions last week was only his third in first-class cricket.

"He's got a bit of pedigree as a batter because he played as a batter in youth cricket and that's certainly an advantage", Moores said.

"To have depth in the batting line-up is important, we all know that. It can put the icing on the cake, it can pull you out of a troublesome spot and sometimes you can't always get the balance you would want in the team.

"What is promising is that we've had [Ryan] Sidebottom show that he can hang around with the bat and hit the ball.

"There are people down there that we can develop, but in an ideal world we would have a number eight who will be able to go out and get a 50".

It is Broad's bowling, however, which will be the main focus of attention as he tries to fill the gap created by the absence of Steve Harmison, who is set to undergo a hernia operation.

Harmison will miss the entire series, and it is unlikely all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will play either following ankle surgery and Hoggard's absence would leave England with a very inexperienced seam attack.

Hoggard's injury leaves Anderson as the most experienced seamer in the squad with 16 caps, but he has not been a regular member of the test attack in the past couple of years despite holding down a regular place in the one-day side.